SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice W. Harris issued the following statement on a proposed Community College Partnership Tax Credit, introduced today by the Department of Education:

“I enthusiastically applaud President Barack Obama’s administration for creating a tax credit plan that will simultaneously strengthen community college workforce programs and give students the training and skills they need to move into good-paying jobs,” said Harris. “The demand for skilled workers in California, and across the country, is constantly growing. This proposal is a victory for both employers and employees to help close the skills gap and fulfill local, regional and state labor market needs.”

Under the proposed Community College Partnership Tax Credit, employers would bolster community college programs with contributions like equipment, curriculum designs and instructors. Once a student completes a qualifying program, employers would be eligible for a one-time, $5,000 tax credit for hiring them full-time. A total of $500 million in credits would be available for each of five years, from 2017 through 2021.

The California Community Colleges is the largest system of higher education in the nation composed of 72 districts and 113 colleges serving 2.1 million students per year. Community colleges supply workforce training, basic skills education and prepare students for transfer to four-year institutions. The Chancellor’s Office provides leadership, advocacy and support under the direction of the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges. For more information about the community colleges, please visit http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/, https://www.facebook.com/CACommColleges, or https://twitter.com/CalCommColleges.